Hi there! My name is Melanie Asato and I love to knit, weave, spin, read, and sometimes sew. I'm also the owner and dyer for my hand dyed yarn shop, "Big Little Yarn Co."! You'll find all things fiber-y here on my channel. Thanks for stopping by!
//Follow Me// My Yarn Shop: biglittleyarn.com/ Big Little Yarn Co. IG: @biglittleyarnco Ravelry: cozycardigans
Oh no, hope everyone in the family feels better soon 🧡. I love the colour you’re using for your poet socks! I totally understand the reading slump! I was feeling the same in August, so I’ve been reading some grimm fairy tales graphic novels/comics. I would recommend Dead Silence by S.A Barnes and Just Like Mother by Anne Heltzel. Great video Mel! p.s I received my yarn from the anime club of the forger family and I love it 😍. Can’t wait to knit something up with it 😁.
I felt similarly about Horror Movie, which is a shame, because I loved A Head Full of Ghosts. I was pretty into the book until the ending and I just felt like it was such a let down? Not even disappointing really, just kind of blah. I'm hitting a reading slump too. It's coinciding starting stranded colourwork so I've been reading a lot of charts mostly 😅. Hope you feel better soon!
Feel better, Mel. It's hard to feel motivated when there's little ones and they're growing and getting colds.. Wishing you all a break in all the colds. Have a good week, Kimberly
Oh no! It's so hard when everyone in the family is sick. I hope you feel better soon! I wanted to ask, what is library access like there for you? I like scrolling through audiobook apps to get out of a reading funk, along with old comics and GNs. Also, some old kid classics help too like Arnold Lobel and Winnie The Pooh.
Thank you! Such a good suggestion and I totally do that too! The library here has an abysmal English language section (which is the primary language I read in), but I love scrolling through the Libby app for new books!
I felt the same way about The Wonder Engine. I agree that that world is hit or miss, I do like the ones that are pretty straightforward romances. T Kingfisher's novellas are good and quick, you could try one of those if you haven't read them already, they're delightfully dark and creepy. Other books that have gotten me out of slumps have been The Thursday Murder Club, Some Desperate Glory by Emily Tesh, and The Goblin Emperor by Katherine Addison.
Sometimes revisiting a favorite book, has helped me. Especially early in my day, before I get busy. I recently started rereading the Dark is Rising series, and plan to revisit some other newbery medel/honor books I haven’t read in years. Also, I don’t know if your into poetry, but a collection of poems can be a quick read to slip into your day.
Do you think it was perhaps Agatha Christie's intention to 'mock' the rich/colonisers mentality with her characters in Death on the Nile? I.e. a very early version of White Lotus or Triangle of Sadness? Just a thought, would be cool.
That's an interesting thought, but the lack of any supporting commentary/scenes/dialogue to back up that idea is pretty much nil 😅. There's just these random blips in the book that really just seem to be put there without really a second thought (which makes sense since she's writing as a person in her own era).
The newest India Holton book, The Ornithologists Guide to Love, is a really fun and witty romp. It could be great to get you out of a rut if you like magical birds and rom coms!
Yummy! Your food always looks so delicious! I haven't had good eel in quite sometime. I'll have to look for it next time we are in city/metro area. Yeah, I like rereading my favorite comics or GNs when I'm in a slump or just not getting on with current reads. Thanks for another great video!
Love your glasses! This was so timely -- I just started reading "Death on the Nile" last month and my criticisms match yours. I was just bored to tears reading it. I figured out the gist of the situation early on, so I looked it up, made peace with it, and stopped reading lol! Hope you find some enjoyment with it toward the end. As for being in a reading rut, I'm sort of there. I don't have any great suggestions maybe outside of trying short stories? Less of a commitment during a rut. I did recently find a subreddit: r/bookclub. They have a few ongoing read-alongs for the rest of August, and are beginning the plans for September (loads of options and a handy calendar). Might be something to consider checking out. It's already introduced me to many authors! Hope your next read is much more satisfying!
I laughed a lot when you talked about Death on the Nile and dated thinking, and then your feelings about the rich character who had died. I so get it:)) I'm not sure if I saw this book on one of your lists, but I love Genevieve Gornichec's The weaver and the witch queen - strong female characters, viking era, magic, fiber crafts <3
I love these vlogs! They make me so happy :) Thanks for sharing your day-to-day <3 As a fellow creative and work-from-home person, it's nice and inspiring to watch :D My recent favourite books that have pulled me out of slump are: Batshit Seven by Sheung-King and All of This Could be Different by Sarah Thankam Mathews. I've also been recommended Martyr by Kaveh Akbar. I started to read it and loved the humor and the way it's written so far! Definitely intend to finish it. And my friend who is a bookseller said it's her favourite book of the year. I would also say that all of the books above are easy and engaging reads. They're well-written, heartfelt, and funny while still being serious. Bonus is that they are definitely very good remedies for out-of-date colonialism-laden lit like Death in the Nile :P (they're all BIPOC writers!)
my reading slump cure is always re-reading a favourite (or listening to it on audio!) or reading a favourite author where i know i've loved their books before! or reading something quick to give me a sense of accomplishment haha - maybe you've read it already but I loved Piranesi by Susanna Clarke and Women Talking by Miriam Toews (anything by her really)
When I have that feeling like none of the books or audiobooks I have are sounding good, I like to re-listen to the Maisie Dobbs series by Jacqueline Windspear. Heartwarming mystery set in WW1-WW2 England. I also like the Armand Gamache series of mysteries by Louise Penny- more modern, Agatha Christie-esque mysteries set in Quebec. Your socks are gorgeous- love the colorway!
I don't know if you already read this one but "To Shape a Dragon's Breath" by Moniquill Blackgoose took my whole heart - it's well paced, has dynamic characters and an interesting plot. It drew me in so fast, in a way a book hasn't in quite a long time.
Lisa Jewell usually gets me out of a reading slump. I find a story where I can't stop reading because I have to find out what happens gets me reading again and then I can go back to slower paced literary books when I'm in a funk.
Yay my anime mini club yarn is on the way 😁!! Oo I love all the book recommendations. I’m adding them to my list because I want to read everything but work is so busy 😅. The Udon noodles looked yummy. I really like this vlog style Mel 😊🧡💛
I do love this vlog style. Getting to see little glimpses into your day to day is nice. Also, your tattoos are so cool!! I’m catching up on all the videos while on vacation 😂😊. I really liked those earrings at 21:06. Yes, I know the part you speak of in before the coffee gets cold cause it made me cry too 😭.
Love the bangs 🥰. The spooky collection looks great. I thought it was coming out in Sept, so I was saving up for then but I’m going on vacation this month, so I’ll have to pass this pre-order 😭. Keeping my fingers crossed there will be leftovers end of the year! Great book recommendations. I would recommend Into the drowning deep by Mira Grant. Thanks for a great vlog Mel💛🧡!!
Oooh! I like the Stripe Hype combo you have there. I need to look at that pattern again to see if it would fit my body type well. I haven't been able to buy yarn from you in a few years but I still love watching what colourways you come up with. I'm reading Godly Heathens by H.E. Edgmon and my kiddo is reading The Little Vampire by Angela Sommer-Bodenburg translated from the German. I'm working on a test knit for Melissa Kemmerer, Little Ghost Stories. It's so cute! I hope Evi just building up his little immune system during this time. The beginning of daycare years are honestly quiet tough in that aspect for a lot of kids, not to diminish your struggles at all. All my kids took a long time to build up there immune systems and by our 3rd child we finally found what works for us. Hang in there!!
Hey Melanie , love your sock wip and your beautiful yarn :) I'm wanting to make the Nocturnal (jumper ) by the petite knitter, love things spooky and cute
Loved every single color. Now I have to make plans. ❤ Would love a sweater in Wendy and/or Stranger Things. But also love your Stripe Hipe Sweater plans.
I loved everything. Including the shop update. Did you like making the billie cardigan in fingering weight or would you have chosen DK? Love the stitchmarkers. The gift was amazing with the marble art. I haven't been reading much but started the Satsuma cross stitch calendar. Always enjoy hearing about your books. All the best, Kimberly
I actually used the Peruvian Wool Fingering held together to make a DK weight! It was a bit finicky, but I love the finished fabric of it, it really made the cables pop beautifully! Thank you so much for your sweet words Kimberly!
Thanks for another lovely vlog! I like your idea of using the marbled paper book as a sketch book. Your colorways are beautiful and your enthusiasm for them is contagious! ❤
I'd love to hear why you love horror. It's not at all what I read, so I find myself wondering why there is such a surge of appetite for horror films and horror novels. Why this cultural development? What does it mean? (I teach literature...so I guess I'm curious about this new genre.) Thanks for your episodes!
Such a good q bc I often asked myself that too! As a kid, I was super afraid of the dark/horror of any kind, so even my family/friends finds it odd that I love it so much now! For me, it's a form of escapism where I know who's "bad" and who's "good", I know who to be afraid for/of, and I know (if it's a rewatch/reread), exactly what horrible thing is going to happen. I think in the current state of the world, where there are so many unexpected, horrible things happening, a lot of people have turned towards the horror genre to feel "in control" of the things they cannot control in real life.
@@MelanieAsato that’s so interesting! I can see how horror is, counter-intuitively perhaps, a ‘safe’ way to experience terror. Maybe I’ll give it a try sometime. Take care!
Thank you for this vlog! I loved it. I'm currently in a reading rut caused by a book that I didn't think would be for me, but thought I'd give it a go anyway - Infinite Jest by David Foster Wallace. It's totally killed my reading desire. BUT I'm thinking I should set it aside and read Thirst. It sounds right up my alley. I can't remember if you've mentioned Woman, Eating by Claire Kohda, but if you haven't read it, I recommend it. It's a contemporary feminist vampire novel. Low key, lonely, beautiful. I loved it. The audiobook was great too. My horror rec is Stephen Graham Jones. He got me very excited about horror. The Only Good Indians is a great stand alone, but My Heart is a Chainsaw is also amazing - it's the first of a trilogy. Two other random recs for lowkey horror are Our Wives Under the Sea and House of Hollow. But also, one of my favorite books ever, Leech - old school style gothic horror... Alright, I'm done now... xoxo
Ah so many good recs! Thank you so much! And oohh I've heard of "Infinite Jest" but I'm too scared to start haha I've heard of book clubs taking years to read through that book completely! I hope you get over the rut soon 💕
I’d watch anything you want to podcast about! I find a lot of interesting books through your podcasts. Also, I’m trying to care less about mistakes so I can have more FOs and less half-finished buried projects. It’s hard for me to let things go, but I’m okay with certain things, like my stitch count being off on sleeves.
That colour will look so good on Evi! Mmmm, all the art supplies ❤ I'm finally reading The Spear Cuts Through Water by Simon Jimenez. I'm about half way through. I finished a test knit for The Blue Mouse (a really nice cowl) and finishing up another test knit for Anniina Juuti (little kids sweater) and socks on the needles again :) I'm nearing my goal of 6 pairs of hand knit socks for the year.
Thank you for the art supplies shop recommendation. I'll be travelling to Osaka next October. I'll try to check it out as one of my friend needs inks 🙂
If you ever considered creating a pattern for your Tim's Summertime T-Shirt, that'd be awesome! My partner is also the Dorito/Triangle/Snatched Waist shape loll
Started my Wednesday with some knitting + watching this latest vid! Not a book rec, but I’m currently listening to a book you spoke about a lil bit ago and am really enjoying it (Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead). Sending love from northern CA ❤
